Matthew Stafford’s wife, Kelly, took aim at the NFL refs via Instagram after the Los Angeles Rams fell to the Seattle Seahawks in overtime on ‘Thursday Night Football.’
There was a lot at stake in Thursday’s clash between Matthew Stafford’s Rams and Sam Darnold’s Seahawks. The winner would take sole possession of first place in the NFC with two weeks to go. Seattle won a thriller in overtime, with Sam Darnold tossing the game-winning two-point conversion to Eric Saubert.
Unfortunately, the NFL officials once again took over the game with multiple head-scratching calls. And don’t say that Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua didn’t warn you of this ahead of time.
There was the wild game-tying two-point conversion score by Zach Charbonnet in the fourth quarter, for instance.
There was also Matthew Stafford’s first-quarter touchdown pass to Terrance Ferguson taken off the board because of an “ineligible man downfield penalty.” NFL rules analyst Terry McAulay said it shouldn’t have been a foul:
A Rams touchdown was taken off the board due to officials calling a penalty for illegal man downfield on 4th-and-goal at the 1. They had to settle for a field goal.
Prime Video rules analyst Terry McAulay disagrees with the ruling: "This really isn't a foul." 🏈🦓🎙️ #NFL #TNF pic.twitter.com/gG0Sgr8zlh
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 19, 2025
After the game, Kelly Stafford took to Instagram and destroyed the officials on her story:
“Never seen refs get this excited about a catch? Now the blown dead two point conversion and illegal man downfield makes sense. Should we be looking into this? Can I get these refs names?”
𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: Rams star QB Matthew Stafford‘s wife Kelly is demanding that the refs from last night's game be INVESTIGATED and is asking for their names.
“Never seen refs get this excited about a catch? Now the blown dead two point conversion and illegal man downfield makes… https://t.co/uVkjWiNBLV pic.twitter.com/zc1zxlkuoF
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 19, 2025
Per ESPN, the Rams were penalized eight times for 54 yards. The Seahawks were issued five penalties for 40 yards.
The Rams may have lost a heartbreaker, but Stafford further distanced himself from Drake Maye, Josh Allen and Jonathan Taylor in the MVP race. The 37-year-old carved up Seattle’s defense with 457 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. And remember, No. 2 receiver Davante Adams was inactive.
Stafford is now up to 4,179 yards, 40 touchdowns and just five interceptions this season. So, unless Stafford finishes the season on a terrible note, he should win the first MVP award of his career.
For now, Matthew Stafford and the Rams have to focus on winning their last two games (at Atlanta Falcons and vs. Arizona Cardinals). They still have a realistic shot at the NFC West crown and the conference’s top seed.